Linotype-machine



3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

'0; MBRGBNTHA-LER.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

`No. 565,484. Patented Aug. 11 1896.

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uaw- Maryam?" Home ms uns cs, No1-ouwe. WASHINGTON. o. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. 0; MBRGENTBALER. LINOTYPE MACHINE.

No. 565,484. 4Patented Aug. 1l, 1896.

WIZWESSES IVTE'JVZ 0%? avmrj@ @maar (No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet 3.

0. MERGENTHALER.

LINOTYPB MACHINE.

No. 5655484. Patented Aug. 11, 1896.

WIZJVESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THEMERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, OF NEV JERSEY.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,484, dated August11, 1896. Application filed February 24, 1893. Serial No. 463,585. (Nomodel.)

To @ZZ whom, t muy concern;

Be it known that I, OTTMAR MERGENTHA- LER, of Baltimore, in the State ofMaryland, have invented a new and useful ImprovementV inLinotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for justifying or spacing out to apredetermined length lines of type-matrices or type, and is 1o intendedmore particularly for use in connection with the so-calledlinotype-machines of the character of the type represented in LettersPatent of the United States issued to me 011 the 13th day of July, 1836,No. 345,526,

and September 16, 1890, Nos. 436,531 and In carrying the presentinvention into effect I introduce into the composed line of matrices, atthe points Where spaces are to occur, that is to say, between charactersat the beginning and end of words, compound expansible spaces. Thesespaces, when introduced into the line, are adj usted to their minimumwidth or thickness. After the completion of the composition, and inorder to increase the thickness of the spaces in the line, I advanceinto the line between, or in connection with the thin ends of thecompound spaces, one or more secondary spaces or slides forming parts ofthe compound spaces, thus spreading,expanding, or increasing thethickness of the active portion of the compound space. The compoundspace consists of a series of thin `flat spaces or slides connected toan elongated body or primary space in such manner that they may be movedlongitudinally in relation to each other and to thebody, so that afterthe end of the body or compound space is inserted within the line itsthickness may be increased, as above indicated, by advancing one or moreof the slides or secondary spaces along or within the body and into theline. It will be perceived that justification is thus effected byintroducing additional thin spaces 4 5` into the line, in addition tothe primary space,

until the line, as a whole, is extended t'o the required length. Inconnection with a series of the compound spaces, the matrices or type,and suitable means for sustaining the spaces and matrices in line, Iemploy automatic mechanism for advancing the slides or secondary spacessuccessively into the line,

as may be required. The mechanism for advancing the secondary spaces maybe variously constructed, as will appear to the skilled mechanic afterconsideration of this specification and the accompanying drawings,Within the range of mechanical skill, and without departing from thelimits of my invention.

As my justifying mechanism may be used in machines variously constructedin other respects, and as the present invention relates exclusively tothe means for effecting justification, I have limited my drawingsthereto.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of mymechanism on the line 1 1. Fig. 2 is a section of the same on the line 22; Fig. 3, a plan view of the parts, looking down- 7o Ward from the line3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig.

4 is a top plan view of a compound space with the spring or side plate127 detached. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the main portion of the same withthe slides or secondary spaces removable. Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof one of the matrices. Figs. 7 ,7 ,and 3 are respectively across-section, an enlarged detail view, and

a longitudinal section, of a portion of a mechanism ina modified oralternative form. Fig. 8o 9 is a perspective view of one of the compoundspaces complete. Fig. 10 is a vertical crosssection of the same.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, AArepresent a series oftype-matrices which are to be assembled in line and j ustiiied. In theform shown they consist of flat metal plates provided with supportingshoulders a and with a matrix CL in one edge, these matrices being thesame as those described in 9o my patent before referred to. It is to beunderstood, however, that the matrices or typethe Word type being usedin ageneric sense to include both male and female charactersmay bemodified in form and sustained in any suitable manner.

B represents my compound space or spacebars, each consisting of anelongated bar or plate Z), provided at its upper end withsustaining-shoulders b', and onone side, midway roo of its length orthereabout, with a vertical sleeve or guide b2, secured thereto andcontaining a series of secondary spaces or slides Z13, b4, and b5,adapted to slide vertically in relation to each other and to the mainspace or body. These secondary spaces or slides are of equal, orsubstantially equal length, but are all shorter than the body or bar b.Each of the secondary spaces or slides is provided with lateralshoulders or projections h6, which rest on top of the sleeve b2, thussustaining the slides with their upper ends a considerable distancebelow the upper end of the body b. This admits of the upper end of thebody or bar being inserted into the composed line or matrix as a primaryspace, while all the secondary spaces or sections remain below the lineand out of action. A spring plate or spring 127, attached to the sleeveb2, and forming part of the body of the compound space, is bent inwardand upward above the slides or secondary spaces and seated against theface of the bar or body b, so that it is introduced into the linetherewith, the upper end of the body being thus composed of twothicknesses,so that when the slides are pushed upward into the line theypass between the upper ends of the members b and bl, spreading themapart and thus increasing the thickness of the compound space within theline. The slide b3, lying next the body-bar b, is of less width than thebar, the second slide h4 of less width than b3, and so on successivelythroughout the series, and this in order that the lifting devicespresently to be explained may distinguish between the secondary spacesor slides, and lift them one at a time. It will be perceived that themembers b and 197 and the intermediate slides or secondary spacesconstitute, jointly, an expansible space, the upper end of which may beintroduced into the line and there increased in thickness to a greateror less extent by lifting one or more of the slides into an operativeposition between the outer members.

Passing now to the mechanism for supporting and operatin g the matricesand compound spaces, C represents a horizontal guide or supportvertically slotted to admit the assembled line of matrices from one sideand adapted by the groove c5 to engage the shoulder b at the upper endsof the compound spaces and retain them in line horizontally, thematrices and space-bars standing vertically side by side, as shown inFigs. l and 2.

The entire line of matrices and compound spaces may be movedhorizontally through the guide from right to left, either by hand or byshifting the arms E E', which are mount.

ed on slides @and move horizontally, and connected with each other by arod e, or otherwise, to limit their separation and thus adapt them tolimit the extension or elongation of the line during the justifyingoperation. The two arms E E' are connected, as shown, by a spiral sp1-ing, which tends to draw them together and thus applies an edgewisepressure to the line, and this in order to hold the matrices and spacesin orderly position and to prevent the secondary spaces or slides fromfalling out of their adjusted positions.

In assembling the line, the upper end ofV the compound space, that is tosay, the upper ends of the members b and t7, are alone inserted betweenthe matrices, while the secondary spaces or slides remain, as shown onthe right hand in Fig. l, wholly below the matrices, and, for the timebeing, inactive.

Below the guide C is mounted a series of vertically-reciproeatingpushers or slides D, D, and D2, intended to act successively onrespective secondary slides oi' the compound spaces in order to forcethem upward, one after another, into the line within the upper end ofthe compound space, thus increasing the width or thickness of the spacein the line.

The pushers D D are connected by horizontal pivots CZ to the upper endsof two slides CZ, vertically guided by slots in the framework andconnected by links d2 to the opposite ends of a lever cl3, carried by acentral horizontal axis d, and connected through a spring-arm d5 and apitman d6 to a crank (P7, whereby the lever isconstantly vibrated, so asto thrust pushers D and D upward alternately.

rlhe pushers proper are held normally in upright positions by springsC27, riveted to the slots and bearing against the lower ends `ot thepushers, the upper ends of which are permitted by the springs to yieldlaterally toward the left when required, in order to follow the lateralmovements of the compound spaces. As shown, the pushers are eachprovided with a projection below its supportingpivot, against which thespring acts to hold the pusher normally to the upright position. Thepusher D2, located at the extreme left, is connected in like manner by apivot and spring to a reciprocating vertical slide d", operated throughan intermediate link from a lever d10, which is urged upward by a springdu and depressed at regular intervals by a con stantly-rotatin geccentric CX12. The mechanism for reciprocating the pushers is of asecondary importance and may be replaced by any other different deviceswhich will impart motion thereto. The pushers are each slottedtransversely through the upper end from side to side, or, in otherwords, made ot U shape at the Aupper end, their slots or openings beingof different widths, corresponding to the variations in the width of thesecondary spaces or slides previously referred to. The iirst pusher Dhas its opening of such width that it will engage beneath and lift onlythe first and widest slide b3, and in so doing straddle the remainingsections without etfeet upon them. The second pusher D has its openingof less width than the iirst and is adapted to push upward the secondslide b, together with the slide b3, if the latter should chance, beforebeing elevated, to come within its reach. The third pusher D2,

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having a still narrower opening, is adapted to push upward the slide b5,as well as those which are wider.

To prevent the compound spaces from swaying edgewise out of position,their lower ends are preferably'notchedto ride-upon the upper edge of axed horizontal guide'f as` the:

line is being shift-ed to the left.

The operation in justifying is. as follows: The assembled line ofmatrices and in-termediate compound spaces is introduced horizontallyinto the guide C and between the confining-arms E E. ABy means of anysuitable motor the pushers D D', &c., are constantly reciprocated. Asthe line, advances the compound spaces are brought in succession overthe ends of the successive pushers. Ars each compound spacefpasses overthe first.

pusher D it acts upon the first slide or secyin the form shown in Figs.l and 2, they-may ondary space d3, urging the same upward, and if thereis a space remaining in the line to be filled the section b3 is forcedinto the line between the upper ends of the members b and 67. It will beobserved that thepad'ditional space in entering a line does` not slideagainst or bear directly on the adjacent matrices. On the contrary, itbears against the members b and 67, which remain at rest againstthematrices. As the compound space continues its advance to the leftwith the shift.- in g lineit is brought, in time, over the pusher D,which in its-turn acts upon the second slide b4, crowding it upward intothe line if' there is sufficient space to receive it. In due time thecompound space is finally brought over to the third pusher D2, which, inits turn, pushes the slide or secondary space h5 upward into the line.Each of the compound spaces has its slides operated on in like mannerbybeing thus added to the line, provided it has not reached thepredetermined length. Whenthe three pushers in succession, three spacesever the line reaches the proper limitv of length, (determined by thearms E E,) it is impossible to introduce additional` spaces, and theresistance offered to the rising movement of the slides or secondaryspaces causes them to remain at rest, the springs through which thepushers are driven yielding at such time and allowing their drivingdevices to continue their action. In order that the length of movementof the last pusher Di may be shortened, l propose to provide the guide Con each side with a stationary cam or incline c2, in proper position tounderride and engage the shoulders b5 of the slide or secondary spacesafter they have been partlyl lifted by the pusher D2. to the left, theslides riding upward along the stationary incline are pushed upwardthereby to their final operative positions in the line.

Itwill, of course, be understood that the inclines act only on theshoulders of those secondary spaces which have already been lifted bythe pushers sufliciently to carry their shoulders over the lower end ofthe incline. 'lhe shoulders of these slides or secondary As the line iscarried further Espaces which have not beenpreviously lifted 4will' passbeneath theincline c2 and be unaffected. thereby. 4

Whenthe guidezCis provided with; a groove 0', as shown in Fig. 8, anopening siinilartol theopeni-ng c4 is left immediatelyY above thecamscz, so as topermit the elevation cti the shoulders h6 and theirengagement with the `said groove, as the carrier E E" continues to Vabled to effect; a perfect and automatic justiiication of the; linewithout reference to thev number or thewidth of the spaces required toeffect such justification.

Instead of constructing thel forkedpushers beA made, asv shown in Figs..7 and` 8, each with ytwo pivot-ed pawls @Z13 at, the upper endto closeinward edgewise beneath the shoulders of thesecondary spacesr or slidesand force them upward. This construction isV in some cases advantageous,in thatthelifting strain vacross theirr shoulders, as shown in Fig; 7,

so tha-t the; widest slide will be lifted by the -iirst pusher, the nextby the second, and so on repeatedly. It will be; understood, of course,that the play of' pawls. Z13 on the pusher D` will be such that. theywill engage only with the slides;y having the widest shoulders, those onthe pusher- D" to engage: the next widest, and so on through the series,in manner-similar to the arrangement of transverse. slots in the form ofpushers rst, described..

The guide C may be provided, asshown in Fig. 8, with longitudinalgroovesc?, having a bottom opening c4 directly over the pushers, so thatwhen the slides are lifted their shoulders will enter the groove andride forward therein., the slides, being thusy prevented from fallingaccidentally out of the positions to which they are lifted.. This; isnot, however, a necessary feature of the invention, as the frictionbetween theslides and the outer members of the compoundspace iseasilysufficient to insure the same purpose.

The machine in which my spaces are used will be provided with suitablemeans for depressing the secondaryl or supplemental spaces to theiroriginal position after the device has performed its function; but asthis constitutes no part of theI present invention itA isdeemedunnecessary to describe itherein.

As regards the construction o-f my compound space, the only essentialrequirement is that it shall consist of a plurality of spaces,

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slides, or sections having parallel sides and arranged to slide endwisein relation to each other, so that additional spaces may be introducedin connection with those already in the line.

The relative form, size, and construction of the sliding connections andother details areof secondary importance and susceptible ofmodification.

I do not claim here the form of justifying mechanism represented in myapplication for Letters Patent, Serial No. 327,079.

I do not claim herein, broadly, mechanism for advancing a series ofstepped spaces into a line successively; nor do I claim, broadly, two ormore pusher-fingers acting successively to advance spaces into a line,these matters forming the subject of my earlier application, Serial No.327,079.

I do not claim, broadly, herein mechanism for advancing spaces byyielding pressure, and a movable pusher for positively advancing them toa predetermined position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. A compoundspace-bar consisting of a plurality of sections or spaces, each havingparallel sides and connected to slide endwise in relation to each other.

2. The compound space-bar consisting of a main or body portion providedwith suspending shoulders and one or more secondary spaces each havingparallel sides and united thereto by a sliding connection, whereby themain space suspended in the line is enabled to maintain the secondaryspaces in position for insertion into the line.

3. A compound space-bar consisting of a plurality of sections or spaces,of different lengths, each having parallel sides and connected to slideendwise in relation to each other.

4. A compound space-bar consisting of a bar provided with suspendingshoulders and with a sleeve on one side, in combination with one or moresecondary bars provided with supporting-shoulders and mounted to slidethrough the sleeve.

- 5. The compound space-bar consisting of spaces or sections diiferingin width and length, and connected to slide endwise in relation to 4eachother.

6. In combination with the body l), and the independently-slidingsecondary spaces connected thereto, the spring 127 acting to hold theseries of secondary spaces against accidental motion.

7. In combination with a guide to sustain a line of matrices andspace-bars, the matrices, the space-bars each consisting of sectionsdiiiering in width and connected to slide endwise in relation to eachother, and a series of pushers, substantially as described, arranged toact upon the respective sections of the space-bars as the bars areadvanced laterally with the line of matrices through the guides; wherebythe several sections of each bar are carried successively into the lineto increase the Width of the spaces therein.

S. In combination with a suitable guide or support for the matrices andspace-bars, the space-bars each consisting of sliding sections differingin width, and a series of pushers arranged in the path of the space-barsand provided respectively with openings differing in Width; whereby thesuccessive sections of the space-bars are advanced into the line as thebars are presented to the successive pushers.

9. In a combination with a sectional spaccbar and a support for thematrices and spacebars, a pusher to start a space-bar section into theline of matrices, and stationary cams or inclines as c2, to continue themovement of the space-section into the line as the latter is shiftedlaterally.

10. In combination with a guide for the matrices and space-bars, thespace-bars each provided with suspending shoulders and a notch in thelower end and the horizontal guide f, to enter said notch; whereby thebars are prevented from swaying edgewise.

1l. The combination of a guide or support C, a line of matrices therein,space-bars consisting of sections having parallel faces and movablelongitudinally with respect to each other, substantially as described,seated by one end within the line, coniining devices as the arms E E tolimit the length of the line, and means to insert the sections of thesuccessive bars into the line one after another.

l2. In combination with a guide or support C, to sustain a line ofmatrices, a space-bar consisting' of a body b, of uniform thicknessinserted at one end in the line and engaging the guide to prevent endmotion, and a secondary space b3, with parallel sides having a slidingconnection to the body ZJ, whereby lit is adapted to be thrust into theline at the side of the body.

13. In combination with the guide C, having longitudinal grooves c3 andc5, the spacebar consisting of the main portion b, having shoulders toenter the grooves c5, and a sliding section attached to the member Z2,and provided with shoulders to enter the groove c3.

MQA space-bar presenting two external members Fin combination with oneor more movable spaces or sections, having parallel outer sides andadapted to be advanced between the outer members to effect theirseparation, whereby the outer surfaces are maintained in parallel lines,and the space caused to present a solid face, adapting it to close theface of a mold.

15. In a justifying mechanism and in combination with means for enteringspaces into the line, stationary means for forcing the partly-enteredspaces positively and fully home t0 their places in the line.

. 1G. In a justifying mechanism, the combi- IOO IIO

nation of e. line of matrices, mechanism for entering spaces into thesaid line, mechanism for shifting the line with its contained spacesendwise and mechanism acting on the spaces during such shifting movementto force them fully home so their places in the line.

In testimonywhereof I hereunto set my hand, this 14th dayof February,1893, in the presence of two attesting Witnesses.

OTT. MERGENTHALER.

Vitnesses:

PH. H. HOFFMAN, THos. P. ELLIOTT.

